Chaplain Robert Bradford Way, 88, of Columbus passed away Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013 in Givens Estates, Asheville, N.C.

Born in Elloree, S.C. he was the son of the late Walter Pinckney and Athena Mellette Way. A Methodist minister, he was a member of the South Carolina Methodist Conference for approximately 17 years prior to serving in the U.S. Air Force as a chaplain for 23 years.

Following his time in the military, Chaplain Way founded and directed a counseling center with a large Methodist church in Satellite Beach, Fla. prior to moving to Travelers Rest, S.C. He moved to Polk County in 2007. Chaplain and Mrs. Way attended the Columbus United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Coker Way; one son, Robert Bradford Way, Jr. (Rosalyn) of Pittsboro, N.C.; one daughter, Dorothy Way Martin (C. Thomas) of Columbus; as well as five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Walter Pinckney Way, III, who died in 1982.

A graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, January 11, 2013 in Holly Hill Cemetery, Holly Hill, S.C. with Rev. Robert B. Way Jr. officiating with full military honors by the Air Force Honor Guard from the Air Force Base in Charleston, S.C.

Memorials may be made to the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, at P.O. Box 3968, Gaithersburg, MD 20885-3968; or to your local Hospice organization.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.